Engineering building evacuated
By Phillip Lin
Jan. 5, 2005 9:00 p.m.
The threat of toxic fumes in Engineering IV caused the UCLA
South Campus building to be evacuated early Sunday afternoon, but
an ensuing investigation found no harmful materials.
Eighty-three firefighters and a hazardous materials team were
dispatched to investigate the incident, which turned out to be a
false alarm, according to a report from KABC-TV.
“Based on what we’ve found up to this point, there
were no toxic fumes present,” said Steve Jurado, UCLA
assistant fire marshal.
A six-inch water main in the Boelter Hall courtyard broke and
flooded a transformer volt under a nearby construction area, which
disrupted power to Engineering IV and triggered the toxic fumes
alarm.
About 15 people were evacuated from the engineering building and
a security guard was taken to UCLA Medical Center after complaining
of dizziness, according to KABC-TV.
How the water leakage and electrical shortage set off the toxic
fumes warning system is unclear, but since then the alarm has been
reset with power restored to the building.
Sandbags have been placed around the flooded transformer volt,
and the water formerly flowing through the broken water main has
been redirected through a new water line west of Boelter Hall.
The water main that broke was put in about 40 years ago ““
the same time Boelter Hall was built ““ and the incoming rains
were the last straw that caused it to rupture.
Any signs of wear and tear on the water main were hidden from
view since the pipes were buried far underground, said Ron
Calloway, director of crafts and alterations for facilities
management.
“We’ve replaced in excess of 90 percent of old
lines,” Calloway said. “Since we have no way of telling
their condition, we replace them as they age.”
Though final costs have yet to be tallied, the false toxic alarm
and water line replacement for Engineering IV is likely to cost
upward of $20,000, he said.
